Glutamine-Supplemented Parenteral Nutrition and Probiotics in Four Adult Autoimmune Enteropathy Patients

To evaluate the effects of glutamine-supplemented parenteral nutrition (PN) and probiotics in adult autoimmune enteropathy (AIE) patients. Four adult AIE patients were identified from April 2006 to January 2012. Clinical and nutritional data were obtained from the patients' medical records. Glutamine-supplemented PN started immediately when the AIE diagnosis was confirmed. The total PN duration was 351 days. According to the PN prescription, the average caloric intake ranged from 20 to 25 kcal/kg/day, and the protein intake ranged from 1.2 to 1.5 g/kg/day. Alanyl-glutamine (20 g/day) was administered to AIE patients for 4 weeks followed by a 2-week break, and this treatment schedule was repeated when PN lasted for more than 6 weeks. Body weight gain and an increased serum albumin level were achieved after PN, and defecation frequency and quality also improved. Each patient received oral supplements, 250 mL of Ensure and two probiotics capsules (each capsule containing 0.5x10(8) colonies) three times a day when enteral nutrition started. Three AIE patients were successfully weaned off PN, and one patient died of pneumonia. Glutamine-supplemented PN and probiotics show promise in managing patients with AIE and related malnutrition.

Miastenia gravis, tiroiditis de Hashimoto y enfermedad de Addison: APS II: necesidad de un manejo multidisciplinario / Adrenal failure associated with Myasthenia gravis and Hashimoto thyroiditis: report of one case

We report a 43 years old female with a history of myasthenia gravis diagnosed five years before and a Hashimoto thyroiditis diagnosed two years before, who was admitted to the hospital due to marked asthenia, hypotension, sustained hypoglycemia and weight loss. Due to the suspicion of an acute adrenal failure, intravenous hydrocortisone was started with a favorable evolution. Results of laboratory tests obtained before starting cortisone showed low cortisol and elevated ACTH levels.

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy syndrome presenting as unexplained chronic interstitial keratitis

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive polyendocrinopathy with variable combinations of mucocutaneous candidiasis, autoimmune destruction of endocrineglands, and ectodermal dystrophy. specificendocrine dysfunction can include hypoparathyroidism, Addison's disease, hypothyroidism, and diabetes. this syndrome is also known as autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy [APECED]. Ocular manifestations can be part of the disease and are often disabling. Here we describe the characteristics of APECED syndrome and its association with chronic interstitial keratitis, a rarely seen ocular manifestation with an early onset presentation

Caso clínico: síndrome poliglandular autoinmune tipo II, forma de presentación en un paciente adulto / Clinical case: autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type II, presentation in adult patient

Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome (APS) type II or Schmidt`s Syndrome is diagnosed when a patient has adrenocortical deficiency with type 1 diabetes mellitus, chronic lymphocyticthyroiditis, or Graves’ disease. The disease commonly manifests in the third or fourth decade. We present the case of a 45 yo male patient who manifested simultaneously at the moment of diagnosis, clinical and laboratory features of hypothyroidism, pernicious anemia and Addison disease. We discuss etiologic, clinical and biochemical aspects in type II APS.